State prosecutors have lost an attempt to have an appeals court rehear a decision to overturn a murder conviction for David Jackson Williams, who was found guilty in 2009 of killing Demetria Bracey, also a former Ole Miss student, with a knife and leaving her body in a closet for four days. (February 25, 2011, Page 2A)

In an attempt to address the growing needs of Lafayette County’s homeless and displaced persons, the Homeless Task Force will be meeting on Sunday to update those attending on current projects and get some ideas for future ones. The meeting will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday in the conference room of the Oxford Police Department. (February 25, 2011, Page 3A)

The city of Oxford has been awarded a Class 4 insurance rating by the Mississippi State Rating Bureau. The rating bureau notified Oxford officials on Tuesday that Oxford went from a 5 rating down to a 4 rating, however, local insurance companies say the new classification probably won’t lower insurance premiums by much — if at all. (February 25, 2011, Page 1A)

About 80 Oxford Middle School students helped to pull of the colorful adaptation of the Broadway hit, “Seussical,” a one-act, 90-minute show. The cast performed the show for area elementary school students Thursday and will be performing 6:30 tonight in the Kayla Mize auditorium at Oxford High School. Tickets are $5 and will be available at the door. (February 25, 2011, Page 1B)

A committee has been formed to help the State Veterans Home in Oxford raise $30,000 over the next year. Local fundraisers and projects will be held throughout the year to raise funds that will be used to upgrade medical equipment and make much-needed renovations to the 15-year-old home. (February 24, 2011, Page 1)

With five days left to qualify for local elections, the list of candidates vying for county seats continues to grow. The qualifying deadline is 5 p.m. Tuesday. Those interested in running for office need to file qualifying papers at the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office in the Lafayette County Courthouse. See a list of all those who have qualified as of Tuesday in today’s EAGLE. (February 23, 2011, Page 1)

After rumors had circled around Oxford for the past week about Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi buying land west of Oxford for its proposed regional referral center, Dick Cowart, counsel for Baptist, laid the rumors to rest during the meeting between Baptist officials, the Oxford Board of Aldermen and Lafayette County supervisors, and confirmed Baptist had purchased 107 acres, however, said Baptist has not selected a site as of yet. (February 23, 2011, Page 1)

On Saturday, the Run for Hope 5K run and half marathon will be held in Oxford. More than 500 runners have already signed up for the race and organizers expect another 150 to join as walk-ins on Saturday.

The race begins at 8:30 a.m. for the half-marathon and 8:45 a.m. for the 5K run. The race will begin at the Oxford Convention Center off Sisk Boulevard. (February 22, 2011, Page 1)

Gov. Haley Barbour has declared this week as Severe Weather Awareness Week. The National Weather Service will issue a statewide tornado test warning on National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather radios at 9 a.m. Wednesday morning. Schools, government agencies and businesses are encouraged to participate in the drill. (February 22, 2011, Page 1)

Oxford Police detectives are investigating a burglary that occurred at the Powerhouse Community Arts Center sometime late Saturday night or early Sunday morning. More than $1,000 was stolen. (February 21, 2011, Page 2)